Step2 is geared towards partnering with StepUp workshop graduates and individuals referred by community partners as they pursue their goals and maintain support in their careers. The Step2 program runs 32 weeks out of the year in four 8-week phases. The curriculum empowers participants through topics related to personal development, financial education, and career pathways.

Overview
Step2 is for working adults and their children who would like to develop stronger community relationships, have referral access to material resources, and the opportunities to receive trainings focused on personal and career growth.

Time Frame
Step2 offers four phases of programming that occur in eight-week blocks. Participants can commit to as few as one or as many as four total phases.

Phases
Personal Development: offers content such as goal setting, conversations around racial equity, decision-making, stress management, nutrition, and adjusting to change.

Finances: works directly with financial experts to complete eight weeks of focused conversations on budgeting, savings, and building personal finance skills.

Entrepreneurship: lead by Geraud Staton of the Helius Foundation and aims to support people in naming and concretizing business ideas while also creating the roadmap to develop their businesses.

Leadership: facilitated by community leaders with the goal of naming and building leadership skills people already have by discussing values, strengths, and personal vision.

Green Jobs: offered by Education Allies and provides environmental literacy curriculum for people to develop green careers and connect with green businesses

Participation Criteria
-Active, current engagement with StepUp Durham or SUD community partner
-Working at least 25 hours per week (proof required)
-On-time weekly attendance
-Completion of Step2 Program Application
-Referral from Employment Counselor or community partner
-1-on-1 interview (via phone or in-person)

Program Requirements
-Maintaining StepUp Durham’s Employment Program eligibility requirements
-Submission/proof of $10 weekly savings
-Completion of three goals per Phase
-Meeting with co-partner group weekly
-Weekly 1x1 with Step2 Case Manager

Benefits
-50-60% savings match on weekly $10 Savings requirement
-Bonuses for completing Phases ($10 for Phase1, $25 for Phase2, $50 for Phase3, and $100 for Phase4)
-$6 weekly bonus for Participants in Financial Literacy who weekly discuss finances with copartner
-Connections to community members for relationships and resources
-Access to Durham Tech for educational opportunities
-Access to Wheels4Hope to obtain a vehicle for $632.00 for participants
-Access to Green Chair Foundation to furnish your home
-Ongoing access to StepUp Durham staff for employment support

Referral Criteria
-Good standing with Step2 Case Manager maintain communication and responding
-To be referred to Green Chair or Wheels4Hope, you must have completed 1 full  financial literacy phase (with less than 2 absences)


Weekly Agenda    Match Savings Program
5:30-6:00pm
Doors open and dinner is served
You are expected to pay a $10 Program Fee each week at Step2; this money goes into a savings account for you; all deposited funds will be returned
   A) You must attend at least 6 sessions to receive the end of phase bonus
   B) There is only a savings match for weeks you are in attendance and have completed the $10 deposit (must be submitted on the day you are in attendance)
Each weekly savings deposit made will be matched $5 (LCCU savings will be given $6 match)
Acceptable deposits occur either through:
   A) bringing a $10 money order to Step2, or,
   B) depositing $10 into your LCCU account and bringing the receipt to Step2
StepUp is unable to receive and process Program Fees of cash, credit, or check

5:45-6:20pm
Dinner together
6:20-6:30pm
6:30-7:30pm
Announcements
Breakout into cohorts
7:30-8:00pm
Co-partner time

Attendance Expectations
-You are permitted to miss one pre-approved week per phase (this includes medical emergencies)
LCCU Bank Accounts
-You must maintain a balance of $10
-StepUp will pay the $10 fee to open the account (this is a fee in addition to your initial $10 deposit)
Photo ID, Social Security number, and proof of address are required

Rules of the Road*

1. Be here. To build relationships with each other, we need to be with each other. Space equals importance so, firstly, please prioritize being at Step2 weekly; secondly, while at Step2, please be full present here (keep your mobile phones on silent or off)
2. Focus on growth. This requires open-mindedness and a commitment to being gracious with one another. This also requires a commitment to be yourself: “discuss real life issues and offer your insight and counsel, share jokes and funny stories, be yourself.”
3. Eat with us. Make 6-6:30pm a strong priority. More growth and bonding will happen as we break bread together than we could task, plan, or set goals around.
4. Confidentiality. What happens in large group, small group, or one-on-one sessions stays there. Step2 must be a place of trust and safety for all people, staff, co-partners, and StepUp Durham staff. (The only time confidentiality may be breached is when there is a threat to the safety of a person or the community.)
5. Participants lead. Volunteers, staff, and co-partners are co-learners with Participants and are there to celebrate success and brainstorm solutions to challenges with Participants. However, volunteers, co-partners, and staff are never to force or dictate to a Participant what she or he must do. If a Co-Partner strongly disagrees with a Participant’s choice, she/he/they may respectfully communicate that to the Participant but ultimately, the final say on all choices of the Participant lies with the Participant.
6. Listen. Always assume the best from the speaker. You have two ears and one mouth. Arguments, criticism, cross-talk, or the insertion of clichés quickly shuts down conversation. If you are unsure how to proceed in a conversation, please ask more questions.
7. Honor yourself. Do nothing that violates your priorities, convictions, or beliefs. However, please be willing to share and have questions asked regarding why your values are so valuable to you.
8. No goods shall change hands. Participants, Co-Partners, and StepUp Durham staff are not permitted to give direct material support to the members of Step2
9. Honor faith identities. We encouraging sharing from your faith perspective; however, it is completely unacceptable to attempt to convert or make relationships in Step2 contingent upon bringing someone into your faith tradition
Safer space. We will commit to making this a safer space each week; we will assume the best and be quick to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when we hurt each other